Singapore is a vibrant economic engine in the Southeast Asia region, and as a result, numerous highly desirable employers are making it their home. Just as the economy and industry are rapidly changing here, it’s also critical that employees step up their game. The skills employers look for are increasingly becoming more pronounced and a bit more complicated.
If you want to land the best job in the area, you’ll need to know the essential skills for jobs. These are skills that differentiate one applicant from the next. They’re the critical skills or in-demand skills employers in Singapore now expect would-be employees to have.
The Skills Employers Look For
The Ministry of Manpower continues to point to enhancing skills for those in the Singapore job market. Recent data shows that some of the most important and in-demand jobs are in the areas of technology and finance. Even if you are working in other areas of the growing economy here, you’ll need to have the right skills to do the job. Let’s break down what skills employers want in 2024. Real talk. Do you have what they need?
Digital literacy
The digital world is virtually the job market today. Employers are looking for applicants with real-world, technical prowess, the ability to write code, streamline data analytics, and determine what the best possible investment decision is.
There’s little doubt that technological skills are a must, but which ones are most important? One is artificial intelligence, with the Workmonitor survey from Randstad indicating that 29% of employers are looking for applicants with AI skills. These are some of the most valuable job skills because AI is still a newer technology, and not everyone has developed proficiency. At the same time, employers need to onboard team members with AI skills to keep up with the competition. Their competitor is using AI, and they need to do so as well.
Other digital skills matter, too, including:
- Data analysis skills and proficiency
- Computer literacy overall
- Coding
- Cybersecurity skills and knowledge
- Project management skills
Since many companies are moving to cloud-based workspaces, it’s critical they bring on employees who have the skills to jump right in. That shortens the learning curve tremendously. When it comes to skills employers look for, you cannot have too many digital-focused and tech-focused skills.
Communication skills
Communication isn’t a skill everyone has, and that’s why it is one of the most valuable job skills today. It’s a rare opportunity to find a prospective employee who offers clear, concise communication (not to mention shows empathy and a truly persuasive ability). Yet, good communication is necessary for just about any top-tier job in today’s economy.
That’s not just in sales positions, either. Those working in hospitality, food and beverage, or frontline workers in retail still need to be able to communicate properly with clients and customers. It’s also not just spoken word but also emails and social media skill communication. Other communication skills that help job applicants stand out include:
- Active listening skills
- Two-way communication and dialogue
- Problem-solving communications
- Team player-related skills
- Vision-specific communication skills
It’s about providing employers with clarity that you can represent them with confidence and clarity. When you have skills employers want like this, it should clearly shine in your resume, job application, and cover letter.
Critical thinking skills
Every employer has problems. Job prospects that can show they’re problem solvers are likely to get an interview. Employers need employees who can not just report on a problem but actually find a way to solve it. It may not be in your pay grade to solve the company’s budget crisis, but finding a way to better manage resources is often appreciated.
Critical thinking skills help employers not only recognize that an applicant can help them with challenges now but also in the future as well. To gauge how well a person can solve problems, employers may look at some key areas, including:
- The way a person tackles a challenging problem
- How an applicant analyzes a situation to make a decision
- The level of inventiveness or ingenuity a person presents
Be careful. You don’t want to go into a job interview promising to make big changes or pointing out the flaws in a company. Instead, let these in-demand skills shine in the examples you provide in your cover letter. Make sure you showcase how innovative you can be when there’s a need to be.
Cultural intelligence
This may be one of the least talked about but highly in-demand future job skills employers need. It’s all about understanding cultural applications to various aspects of the job. When you’re working in hospitality or trying to navigate the retail market, employers expect you to understand what the customer’s needs and wants are. Quite a bit of that comes down to your ability to understand cultural aspects. This is growing in importance with the global economy. Many of today’s applicants are dealing with customers around the world. Saying the wrong thing, implying something, or even telling a joke that’s off-color could hurt your prospects of getting a job.
Cultural intelligence refers to your ability to navigate potential concerns such as:
- Cultural biases
- Stereotypes
- Conflict resolution methods
Many of today’s companies in Singapore are strongly pushing for diversification. As more diversity enters the workforce, the need for employees who can work together even when cultures are very different increases.
Collaboration
Another of the skills employers want is a professional who can collaborate. It’s not always the case that the work you do will be solo. You’ll likely be working on a team. While you may want to shine and stand out, employers want to know you can actually work with others well. That sounds easy enough, but collaboration isn’t as simple as being a team player.
It also means being able to communicate efficiently and effectively within a team environment. It means being cohesive with other people who come from a diverse background. Productive work is critical. If you and another person cannot agree on a way forward, are you going to stick it out or find a way to collaborate to resolve the problem?
Collaborative skills include being a team player but also being willing to lead when there’s a need or being willing to learn. It’s about using your very best skills as the primary driving force in any situation. This encourages innovative ideas to be shared by all members of the workforce. It also makes long days easier to manage.
Workplace safety focus
One of the skills for career growth to put on our resume is a focus on workforce safety. Doing your job in the best manner possible – and avoiding any risk of unnecessary injury is paramount. Workplace safety is also critical in many of today’s retail, hospitality, and logistics industries. These are fast-paced jobs that require people to be able to communicate in an effective manner to minimize risks.
What employers may be looking for is the ability of an employee to hone in on their safety focus. Some examples may include:
- Being readily willing to follow increasingly stringent safety requirements on the job
- Understanding the importance of “following the rules”
- Recognizing the value and the cost that comes from compliance
- Working to protect others on the job to ensure safety across all members of the team
- Not engaging in reckless behavior
- Being willing to do a job the hard way if regulatory requirements make that a requirement
If you want to stand out with high-demand skills, make sure to include any of these workplace safety skills you know. Drop in a mention of safety protocols or your ability to meet compliance requirements within the industry. It matters to employers.
Adaptability
Employers in Singapore are changing quickly. As noted, many are moving towards AI. Others are looking to enter new markets. Small companies want to compete with the largest organizations out there. And they can do it if they have the right talent to support them. A core component of that is having employees that can adapt.
Being a part of a company that’s growing is exciting. While it may also be challenging, being able to adapt – and willing to do so – makes you more of an in-demand employee. Adaptability in a global economy is a must because it enables your company to have the tools they need to meet the challenges of a fast-paced retail, logistics, or other industry. In-demand skills like these are rare to find, too.
Emotional intelligence
This is a rather new skill employers want in terms of what it means to the Singapore job market. In short, the workplace is about providing solutions and delivering a product. To do that, especially in hospitality or retail, you need to be able to recognize the needs of the customer and then meet those expectations.
For example, some of the most valuable job skills are those that involve empathizing with customers, understanding their needs, and then offering solutions. Those with emotional intelligence can see what people need to respond in a positive way. That’s not just customers, either, but also what employees want to see in leaders.
For an employer that’s expanding rapidly, having an employee that supports positive mental health in co-workers, even when stress levels rise, is a must. No one wants to work in a toxic work environment. At the same time, it’s essential to be authentic. People- including customers – don’t want to just be given a pat on the shoulder but want to know you care about their happiness. That’s a lot to ask for in a new employee, for certain. Yet, even if you don’t have this skill, it’s critical to be willing to work toward it.
Final Thoughts
Future job skills are those that employees not only want but need to remain competitive in today’s environment. These are some of the most valuable skills employers look for because they help to support the company’s objectives of providing a good service to customers. How well do you line up?
If you think you have what it takes, check out the current job listings at GrabJobs.co. What you’ll find is that there are some of the best jobs (and employers) in Singapore for 2024.
Leadership skills are quite valuable to employers. Even if you do not have a job history that demonstrates your ability to be a leader, showcase your desire to lead. Remember, this isn’t about being headstrong. Instead, it’s about seeing a need or problem, analyzing it, and then finding a solution. That’s what employers need in employees.
Include skills you know you ace, including interpersonal skills, creativity, and critical thinking. Include skills that show you’re a team member, a decision-maker, and an active listener. Demonstrate these skills through descriptions of the problems you’ve solved and the support you’ve provided to the company.
Your resume should include clear skills you’ve demonstrated in previous jobs. If you’re applying for a retail job, include customer-centric skills. Are you looking for a job in logistics? Make sure you show how organized you are. The big skills employers often look for include digital literacy, communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and industry know-how.
It’s definitely a good idea to customize, modify, and update (including adding keywords) to your application that match what the employer is looking for and states within their job description. If they’re looking for a pro who knows how to analyze sales trends, make sure you’re incorporating those skills into your resume.
